Batumi (Georgia) July 18: Grandmasters Koneru Humpy, D Harika, R Vaishali and International Master Divya Deshmukh stormed into the quarterfinals of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup, scripting history as India became the first country to field four players in the tournament's last-eight stage. Harika Dronavalli is set to take on Divya Deshmukh, with India guaranteed at least one spot in the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 semi-finals. All four women won their tiebreaks to advance to the last eight stage. Humpy gave a glimpse of her old sel,f looking assured and calm as she overcame Alexandra Kosteniuk, who is now representing Switzerland after switching from Russia.  Divya Deshmukh Defeats World No 2 Zhu Jiner in Women’s Chess World Cup 2025, India’s GM Qualifies for Quarter-Finals of FIDE Tournament.

Humpy won in the first round itself, which was a testament to her superiority over other rivals. She defeated Kosteniuk with a 1.5-0.5 margin. Divya continued to punch above her weight, stunning second seed China's Jiner Zhu 1.5-0.5. She won the first game with black and held a draw in the return leg with white, showcasing composure beyond her years.

That left Harika on the toes as she lost the first game as black against another Russian, Kateryna Lagno. But she struck back as white to reach the second tiebreaker. The Indian then drew the first game as black and pounced on her chances with white to move to the quarterfinals. Funny Memes Go Viral After R Praggnanandhaa Stuns Magnus Carlsen at Las Vegas in Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025.

With all four Indian women into the quarter-finals, it has now become a race between India and China as to who would annex the Cup and make it to the top three that guarantees a place in the women's Candidates. It may be recalled that the lone Georgian Nana Dzagnidze is also in the quarters with some exceptional play thus far.

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